In-ear monitors, custom, Shure E1 vs E5 for bass gtr/vox

[Todd H.]

Howdy all,

Just learned from my audiologist that ear molds are cheap--approx
$40/ear for in-ear monitors. The mention molding specifically for
Shure E1 and E5 models. This has me very interested is pursuing this
further.

Anyone used one or both of these specific models and offer some
commentary on which is most appropriate for use with bass guitar
monitoring as well as vox? Is the significant price jump justified
for use with bass guitar and getting the benefits of the 2-way driver?

Also any suggestions of good suppliers would be welcome zzounds.com
has the E1 $160, but doesn't appear to carry the E5. Swee****er
appears to have the E5's for $450.

I'd be open to any other manufacturers that also work with custom
molds and are of comparable quality for less money, and would be
compatible with the Shure wireless IEM systems.

Thanks in advance for any insights from first-hand experience.

Best Regards,
--
/"\ ASCII Ribbon Campaign | Todd H
\ / | http://www.toddh.net/
X Promoting good netiquette | http://triplethreatband.com/
/ \ http://www.toddh.net/netiquette/ | "4 lines suffice."

[Deaf Mellon MESA]

(Todd H.) wrote in message >...
> Howdy all,
>
> Anyone used one or both of these specific models and offer some
> commentary on which is most appropriate for use with bass guitar
> monitoring as well as vox? Is the significant price jump justified
> for use with bass guitar and getting the benefits of the 2-way driver?

I use E-1s in a wired configuration with the small white ear pieces
that Shure sells off their website. I'm not monitoring the bass
through the PA, but I can say for certain E-1s don't have any bass
response to speak off. Our primary
use is for vocals. One of our players has custom ear molds for E-1s.
He says custom molds sound better than the stock pieces. I've never
tried the E-5s.

DaveT

[James Nash]

I've been really happy with the Etymotic ER-4P (http://www.etymotic.com/).

To my ears, the Shure E1s have a lot of low end, but they sound cloudy
overall... not much clarity in the highs. And I thought the E5s sounded
a little harsh in the midrange, and I didn't find them comfortable to
wear (an ear mold probably solves the comfort issue). Overall, I
preferred the sound of the Etymotics.

With any of these ear monitors, keep in mind that you will not get
decent bass response unless you have a tight seal against your ear. The
best sound I've heard has been from the plastic flanged tips with the
ER-4P, but I have trouble with the plastic tips on stage... the seal
tends to break when I sing... your mileage may vary. The foam tips on
the Etymotics don't give me quite the low end response, but I find them
more consistent and comfortable for stage use.

I've tried custom ear molds, and I personally find that expanding foam
tips give a better seal, resulting in better sound. Again, it's a
personal thing, so you might not agree. But custom molds tend to be
non-refundable, so if I were you, I'd try the stock tips first... don't
assume that custom molds will necessarily sound better.

If you're interested in the Etymotics, I recommend
HeadRoom(http://www.headphone.com/). They have good prices and great
customer service--they'll let you return ear buds if you don't like
them. But as long as you get a good seal with the ER-4P buds, I bet
you'll like 'em.

James




In article >, (Todd H.) wrote:

> Howdy all,
>
> Just learned from my audiologist that ear molds are cheap--approx
> $40/ear for in-ear monitors. The mention molding specifically for
> Shure E1 and E5 models. This has me very interested is pursuing this
> further.
>
> Anyone used one or both of these specific models and offer some
> commentary on which is most appropriate for use with bass guitar
> monitoring as well as vox? Is the significant price jump justified
> for use with bass guitar and getting the benefits of the 2-way driver?
>
> Also any suggestions of good suppliers would be welcome zzounds.com
> has the E1 $160, but doesn't appear to carry the E5. Swee****er
> appears to have the E5's for $450.
>
> I'd be open to any other manufacturers that also work with custom
> molds and are of comparable quality for less money, and would be
> compatible with the Shure wireless IEM systems.
>
> Thanks in advance for any insights from first-hand experience.
>
> Best Regards,

[Paul Gitlitz]

On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 22:34:33 GMT, James Nash >
wrote:

>overall... not much clarity in the highs. And I thought the E5s sounded
>a little harsh in the midrange, and I didn't find them comfortable to
>wear (an ear mold probably solves the comfort issue). Overall, I
>preferred the sound of the Etymotics.

Obviously there will be as many opinions as there are ears, but I have
used the E1's for several years and find them very clear and clean
sounding with both bass and treble in nice balance. if anything I
would say they lack a tiny bit of lower mid warmth.
I have had a lot of problems with them over the years and Shure has
been good about replacements sent out overnight delivery. It turns out
the problem is me. I produce lots of wax. Even though I clean my ears
daily and have custom ear molds that put some distance between the
diaphragm of the transducer nd my ear I was still gumming them up.
Shure sent me a free pair of E2's to try since they have a removable
wax guard. They sound warmer but are missing the highs of the E1.
The E2's are also more robustly constructed.

[James Nash]

Whoops... I misread the original post. I was talking about the E2
earbuds... they're the ones I found too dark and clouded. I agree about
the E1 buds--they don't lack brightness to my ears, either. I think the
Etymotic ER-4p buds sound smoother in the midrange than both the E1s and
the E5s, though.

But as Paul points out, it's a matter of taste, especially since these
things fit directly in your ear canal, so they probably have truly
different frequency responses in different ears.

I don't know of any store that has demo ear buds, so I think the best
bet is to buy from someone who will allow a return or exchange.
Headroom is really good about that, in my experience.

James



In article >,
Paul Gitlitz > wrote:

> Shure sent me a free pair of E2's to try since they have a removable
> wax guard. They sound warmer but are missing the highs of the E1.
> The E2's are also more robustly constructed.

[John]

Todd,

I own E1's and E5's. Both give good performance. The E1's I like better for
vocal's and full mixes. The E5's jam. E5 has better low freq. and better top
end, and they can get way louder than the E1's. For that reason I use E5's
for drummer, bass guitar, and deaf artist If your are a drummer or bass
player I think you will be better off with the E5's. For singers, keyboard
player and general use, save some money and go E1's..

Hope that helps.

John.

"Todd H." > wrote in message
...
>
> Howdy all,
>
> Just learned from my audiologist that ear molds are cheap--approx
> $40/ear for in-ear monitors. The mention molding specifically for
> Shure E1 and E5 models. This has me very interested is pursuing this
> further.
>
> Anyone used one or both of these specific models and offer some
> commentary on which is most appropriate for use with bass guitar
> monitoring as well as vox? Is the significant price jump justified
> for use with bass guitar and getting the benefits of the 2-way driver?
>
> Also any suggestions of good suppliers would be welcome zzounds.com
> has the E1 $160, but doesn't appear to carry the E5. Swee****er
> appears to have the E5's for $450.
>
> I'd be open to any other manufacturers that also work with custom
> molds and are of comparable quality for less money, and would be
> compatible with the Shure wireless IEM systems.
>
> Thanks in advance for any insights from first-hand experience.
>
> Best Regards,
> --
> /"\ ASCII Ribbon Campaign | Todd H
> \ / | http://www.toddh.net/
> X Promoting good netiquette | http://triplethreatband.com/
> / \ http://www.toddh.net/netiquette/ | "4 lines suffice."

[Len Moskowitz]

James Nash > wrote:

> ...I think the Etymotic ER-4p buds sound smoother in the midrange than
>both the E1s and the E5s, though.

The ER-4B have unbearably peaky highs; the ER-4Ss are better but still
far from flat above a few KHz. I've used both with stock and custom
molds.

I was wondering how the Shure's (E1 and E5) compare to the Etymotics.
Has anyone compared them?

--
Len Moskowitz PDAudio, Binaural Mics, Cables, DPA, M-Audio
Core Sound http://www.stealthmicrophones.com
Teaneck, New Jersey USA http://www.core-sound.com
Tel: 201-801-0812, FAX: 201-801-0912

[Mikey]

(Len Moskowitz) wrote in message >...
> James Nash > wrote:
>
> > ...I think the Etymotic ER-4p buds sound smoother in the midrange than
> >both the E1s and the E5s, though.
>
> The ER-4B have unbearably peaky highs; the ER-4Ss are better but still
> far from flat above a few KHz. I've used both with stock and custom
> molds.
>
> I was wondering how the Shure's (E1 and E5) compare to the Etymotics.
> Has anyone compared them?

I've used both E1's and Etymotic ER-4s. The E1's are a bit less
'hi-fi' to me, but still quite good. The ER-4s are quite bright, but
I've learned how to EQ that out. I like the seal better, too (I use
the plastic flange tips, and just learn to deal with the occasional
seal interruption). At anywhere near the same price, get the
Etymotics. At half price for the E1's it's a toss-up.

Mikey
Nova Music Productions

[James Nash]

I find the ER-4s to be bright, but not at all harsh. For stage use, for
me, that translates into being able to hear more clarity. You might
disagree. One person's "too bright" is another person's "clear and
revealing."

To my ears, the E1s are not as bright as the ER-4s, but I still find
them more fatiguing... to me the high midrange on the E1s sounded harsh
compared to the Etymotics.

James



In article >,
(Mikey) wrote:

> (Len Moskowitz) wrote in message
> >...
> > James Nash > wrote:
> >
> > > ...I think the Etymotic ER-4p buds sound smoother in the midrange than
> > >both the E1s and the E5s, though.
> >
> > The ER-4B have unbearably peaky highs; the ER-4Ss are better but still
> > far from flat above a few KHz. I've used both with stock and custom
> > molds.
> >
> > I was wondering how the Shure's (E1 and E5) compare to the Etymotics.
> > Has anyone compared them?
>
> I've used both E1's and Etymotic ER-4s. The E1's are a bit less
> 'hi-fi' to me, but still quite good. The ER-4s are quite bright, but
> I've learned how to EQ that out. I like the seal better, too (I use
> the plastic flange tips, and just learn to deal with the occasional
> seal interruption). At anywhere near the same price, get the
> Etymotics. At half price for the E1's it's a toss-up.
>
> Mikey
> Nova Music Productions

[Arny Krueger]

"Todd H." > wrote in message

> Howdy all,
>
> Just learned from my audiologist that ear molds are cheap--approx
> $40/ear for in-ear monitors. The mention molding specifically for
> Shure E1 and E5 models. This has me very interested is pursuing this
> further.
>
> Anyone used one or both of these specific models and offer some
> commentary on which is most appropriate for use with bass guitar
> monitoring as well as vox? Is the significant price jump justified
> for use with bass guitar and getting the benefits of the 2-way driver?
>
> Also any suggestions of good suppliers would be welcome zzounds.com
> has the E1 $160, but doesn't appear to carry the E5. Swee****er
> appears to have the E5's for $450.
>
> I'd be open to any other manufacturers that also work with custom
> molds and are of comparable quality for less money, and would be
> compatible with the Shure wireless IEM systems.
>
> Thanks in advance for any insights from first-hand experience.

Echo the comments about a good seal being required for usable bass.

If you want a low cost in-ear device that many people favor, stop by the
nearest Circuit City and pick up a set of Sony MDR-EX70 or MDR-EX71 ear
buds. About $50, more like $40 if you surf the web.

In comparison to E2s, MDR-EX7x ear buds have abundant bass and treble. They
sound a little rougher to me even when equalized to sound similar. Sort of
like the ear bud version of MDR 7506s.

[Arny Krueger]

"the mark" > wrote in message


> "Arny Krueger" > wrote in message
> ...

>> If you want a low cost in-ear device that many people favor, stop by
>> the nearest Circuit City and pick up a set of Sony MDR-EX70 or
>> MDR-EX71 ear buds. About $50, more like $40 if you surf the web.

>> In comparison to E2s, MDR-EX7x ear buds have abundant bass and
>> treble. They sound a little rougher to me even when equalized to
>> sound similar. Sort of like the ear bud version of MDR 7506s.

> my personal warning about the Sony's;
> they lasted about 2 weeks for me. I tried to save a little $, and
> ended up buying twice...

Comments from *the trenches* are always appreciated.

>The cable is much thinner on the Sonys,

To say the least!

> one side blew out in a week, the other shortly thereafter.

You like it loud, I take it.

> I wasn't
> abusing them; gave them the same treatment as the Shures I replaced
> them with, which are still going strong after a few months.

While I don't drive the pants off my Shures, it's clear that their first,
last, and middle name is "robust".

;-)

> I don't
> trust the Sonys for serious gigging anymore. They sounded OK but
> just aren't anywhere near as durable as the Shures. That's my story
> anyway- I'm sure others have had much more success with them. m
> www.xush.net

Thanks for sharing..

[Thomas Bishop]

"Todd H" > wrote in message ...
> At any rate, I think all this helpful feedback has helped me make a
> decision-- I'm going to first get a system with E1's in it, and then
> step up to the E5's or possibly Sensaphonics if I don't get the bass
> fullness I need. I tend to be sensitive to phones that are too bright
> due to above average HF accuity, so I'm going to steer clear of the
> Etymotics based on the feedback given here.

I used Future Sonics for a few rehearsals, but they weren't very
comfortable. I would like to have custom molds made for them. I was very
pleased with the sound, especially the bass response.